Manage the Mini- Lesson: The Beginning of Each Day's Writing Instruction
A fiction writer once said, "the hardest part of writing fiction is getting characters from here to there." This can be true for teaching as well.
Convene the Class for the Mini-Lesson
Option 1
"Five More Minutes until writing" or "Writers, in a moment, I'd like you to bring your writer's notebook and your pen to the meeting areas. Put everything else away and show me you are ready. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1"
Table 2... Lets gather. Continue with other tables for students to meet.
When all are seated, provide an attention getting signal ( "Writers.... and touch your eyes to secure attention") to secure writers attention.
Begin Mini Lesson
Option 2: Another Countdown Strategy for moving students expeditiously along
"Lets take the count of five to gather for a writing mini-lesson." 5- I love you are getting your notebooks out of your knapsacks and finding your folders. 4- I love that you are setting your work up in your workspaces so you will be ready to write, and grabbing the materials your need for the mini-lesson. 3- Great that you are pushing your chairs in and coming quickly. 2- I love that you are sitting on your bottoms, in your spots. 1- Nice you see you opening your notebooks so you are ready to take notes.
Establish Long-Term Partnerships
Partnerships comprise two writing peers who can help each other, there is not one teacher and one student partner. Partnerships should last at a minimum the length of a unit of study.
How will you walk the delicate balance of a streamlined 15 minute lesson plan? Work with your PD buddy to develop a management structure for how students will listen, participate, and engage to keep the expectations clear and concise.
A fiction writer once said, "the hardest part of writing fiction is getting characters from here to there." This can be true for teaching as well.
Convene the Class for the Mini-Lesson
Option 1Option 2: Another Countdown Strategy for moving students expeditiously along
"Lets take the count of five to gather for a writing mini-lesson."
5- I love you are getting your notebooks out of your knapsacks and finding your folders.
4- I love that you are setting your work up in your workspaces so you will be ready to write, and grabbing the materials your need for the mini-lesson.
3- Great that you are pushing your chairs in and coming quickly.
2- I love that you are sitting on your bottoms, in your spots.
1- Nice you see you opening your notebooks so you are ready to take notes.
Establish Long-Term Partnerships
Partnerships comprise two writing peers who can help each other, there is not one teacher and one student partner. Partnerships should last at a minimum the length of a unit of study.
During the Mini Lesson
Classroom Management: Before, During, and After Mini Lesson